Slowly, my consciousness returned, and the moment I opened my eyes, a sharp headache hit me like a hammer. I immediately shut them again.
After a few minutes, once I felt stable enough, I opened my eyes once more. The pain was still there, but light, nothing serious.
Remembering what I had done right before passing out, a huge smile formed on my face. That smile quickly turned into a low chuckle, which grew louder until it became a full-on villainous laugh.
"That was fucking amazing!" I said, still remembering the intoxicating sensation of power coursing through my body.
But then I remembered the consequences of my completely irresponsible test inside my bedroom. I jumped to my feet and stared at the damage, the headache already forgotten.
And I only had two words to describe the scene in front of me:
"Holy shit!"
I looked at the wall, now sporting a hole so big I could install a window there—straight into the damn hallway. I stared at my hand with endless remorse.
"My mom would kill me if she were here and saw what I did to the house."
Yes, the house. The wall was only the biggest problem. After awakening, I had a few issues controlling my strength… you can imagine the rest.
After staring at the destruction a little longer, I shrugged and let out a sigh.
"Time to fix this."
I went to my drawer to grab the greatest invention humanity had ever created.
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"Much better now!" I said with a smile, looking at what used to be a hole and was now a gray patchwork stain.
I lowered my gaze to my hand, where the pinnacle of all human technology rested. My unconditional savior:
Duct Tape!!!
"Now that I'm done with repairs, time for the important stuff."
I sat down on my favorite rug.
'I really overdid it. I burned almost all my mana. Good thing I only broke one wall.'
As soon as I thought that, something clicked in my mind.
'Why did I only make a hole after using up almost all my mana?!'
The more I thought about it, the less sense it made. I was a solid rank C awakened, and a mage on top of that—my reserves shouldn't have emptied so quickly.
I decided to repeat what I called "mana cycling," just to see where I went wrong.
As soon as I started cycling, I felt the heat rising from my heart and spreading through my body again. Even so, I didn't see anything.
"Hmmm… judging by my mana level, I still have enough for one more attempt, as long as I don't overdo it again."
I focused the cycling into my right hand and threw a light punch forward, releasing the mana at the end and boosting my perception as much as possible.
This time, instead of an air explosion, my fist only glowed faintly, producing a gentle breeze. But that was enough for me to understand the mistake.
'By releasing mana carelessly, I'm wasting way too much. That excess doesn't increase power… it just dissipates into the air.'
Problem found, simple solution: train until I don't waste a single grain of mana.
And looking at it that way, I decided to add something else to the training.
'I'm going to practice mana cycling as much as possible, until it becomes second nature.'
Now that I was calmer, I realized the many benefits of cycling: slight stat boosts, mental enhancement… even my brain processing was faster.
I noticed it when I looked at the clock on the dresser—my thoughts were sharper.
"Okay, now I just need to check that contract and steal—no, get inspired by other hunters to improve my mana channels and create some cool abilities."
With a shameless grin, I imagined my potential. If just copying the basic enhancement of a security guard had already given me all that… imagine with real abilities?
The villain laugh returned.
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"Hmmm, the terms are pretty good. Decent salary. And I can quit without paying a fine… well, I'll only be a security guard anyway," I joked while reading the contract Mr. Hyun had sent me.
"And I still have to sign these death clauses… probably because of the request to go as a porter in some raids."
After rereading the contract three times, I signed it and sent it back to Hyun.
"Done. Now that the boring stuff is settled, let's go back to training."
I got so lost in control training that I almost passed out. I vaguely remember eating something, taking a rushed bath, and collapsing onto my bed.
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(Merlin — Two Weeks Later, Hunters Guild)
'Nothing new.'
'This mana channel is a bit different… need to take notes.'
'Ooh, fire magic. So that's how mana moves in this part…'
It had been weeks since I started working as a security guard. My daily routine was simple: stand near doors and observe others training during my breaks.
My mana channels had completely changed. They looked nothing like they did two weeks ago. Now they were spread across my whole body, resembling the meridians from those cultivation manhwas.
Aside from the main ones, there were several branches, like veins spreading outward.
I discovered that certain abilities required specific channels, which delayed my plans quite a bit. But I was almost done with my basic structure.
Even though I still couldn't shoot fireballs, I kept focusing on cycling. And it paid off.
Cycling mana was almost becoming instinctive. I was close to doing it while asleep.
It might sound weak, but the benefits were many. My favorite was the boost in memory—without it, my progress in understanding channels would be much slower.
And it kept me from walking around with a notebook drawing other hunters. I'd be labeled a creep within days.
Besides that, my mana control had improved a lot.
Win–win.
When I checked the clock, I saw it was time for the second shift. I stood up, but a voice called out:
"MERLIN! Finally found you!"
I looked back, surprised to see Mr. Hyun coming toward me, slightly breathless.
"Huh? How can I help you, sir?"
"No 'sir.' Just call me Hyun. We're past that stage, right?" he said, catching his breath with a more contained smile.
"Haha, alright then, Hyun. What's up?"
"I got you a porter job in a rank B dungeon. What do you think?"
My eyes widened.
"S-seriously?! Of course I'm in!"
I tried not to scream from excitement.
I expected a dungeon soon, but I thought it would be rank C or D. Not rank B.
Hyun chuckled lightly.
"I figured you'd like it. So go get ready. Your equipment is in front of your locker. I'll pick you up in two hours."
I froze.
"What do you mean two hours? I'm going today? I thought I'd have more time to prepare."
Hyun let out a sigh, half exasperated:
"I know, kid. Why do you think I came running? You only got the spot because the other porter had an accident. I recommended you, and they accepted after I put in a good word."
"It's last minute, but it's a good opportunity. The team is made up of rank B rookies being trained by management, and there'll be a high-level hunter supervising you all. So don't worry."
I felt excited. It was the perfect chance to analyze the mana channels of someone strong, and also get good abilities to study.
A dangerous smile spread across my face.
Hyun laughed.
"Lucky you, kid. Even as a porter, you get a decent cut of the loot. Just don't forget to buy me a drink afterward."
I nodded and ran off to grab my gear.
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(Merlin — Rank B Portal)
When we arrived at the portal, we got out of the car and headed toward the entrance.
I wore a light leather armor, a short sword at my waist, and a large backpack filled with potions, kits, and basic supplies.
The group that would enter with me was already gathered.
"I'm senior recruiter Gi Hyun, and this is the porter I mentioned. I'll let him introduce himself."
But I didn't listen.
Because every time I meet new hunters, before looking at their appearances, I always boost my perception to see their mana channels.
So my attention should have been on the portal, right?
Wrong.
Even though the portal emitted an absurd amount of mana, it didn't even come close to catching my attention like the person standing in the back of the group.
That person's mana was far greater than the portal's. Far greater than any rank B hunter. I'm almost sure that even a rank A wouldn't reach that level.
Which could only mean one thing:
That person was an S-rank hunter.
And their mana channels were… beautiful.
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Hello dear readers, and that's where today's chapter ends. Can you guess who that S-rank hunter is?? Haha!
And Merlin will meet the first member of the main cast in the next chapter, how exciting!!
Well, leave your comments about the chapter, what you think about the protagonist's abilities so far, and maybe donate a few powerstones to me 😏.
See you in the next chapter!!
Bye bye!
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